The Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce has launched an SA division
BUILDING an economic bridge between South Australia and the Emerald Isle will be the key focus of a new local chapter of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce.
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BUILDING an economic bridge between South Australia and the Emerald Isle will be the key focus of a new local chapter of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce.
And with Britain’s departure from Europe approaching, the South Australian president of the chamber believes Ireland will become the primary gateway for South Australian businesses seeking trade opportunities in the European market.
Belfast-born Ryan McClenaghan - who relocated to Adelaide from Sydney three months ago - hosted a launch event last week, with guests including Irish ambassador Breandán Ó Caollaí and Belfast-born Premier and Cabinet chief Jim McDowell.
“The chamber’s mission is to support the community, to put in female leadership groups, business mentoring programs and we’re here to support small, medium and large businesses,” Mr McClenaghan said.
“We’re here to make connections - connections to Europe as well - with Ireland obviously being the gateway to Europe, soon to be the only native English-speaking country in Europe after Brexit.
“We (Ireland) have had huge growth since the GFC. Eight out of the ten world’s largest tech companies have their head office in Ireland and we have a very good education system.
“We have over five million people in Ireland, not a huge population, but they certainly do lead the way within the tech space, cyber security is huge and they still have a strong manufacturing presence.”
The chamber will host its annual national business awards on Friday, with three South Australian finalists including Micro-X in the SME category.
The company’s managing director Peter Rowland and chief financial officer Georgina Carpendale are both Irish, with Ms Carpendale up for the young professional of the year award alongside Commonwealth Bank Glenelg branch manager Rochelle Melino.
Mr McClenaghan, who ran a manufacturing business in Sydney before relocating to Adelaide, said it was important for South Australian businesses to think outside of state borders in order to pursue growth opportunities.
“There are great things happening here in Adelaide and when we think about economy and what we can do, tourism is a big part of that, trade is certainly a big part of that,” he said.
“I think it’s good for South Australia to focus on new markets, innovation, emerging industry sectors like cyber security, med-tech, and if we’re smarter as business and industry that will drive the economy.
“I think South Australian businesses should be thinking global and we’re here to support businesses that want to take their product or service into Europe.”